Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

Is aggression during feeding a worry?

0

Sometimes during feeding in my 55g, when a fish eats food that the zebra loaches are about to eat(particularly the pearl gourami), the loach will pick on the gourami a few times then will eventually stop. What worries me is that the gourami doesn't defend itself. Though, when the fish aren't feeding, the gourami and the loaches can be right next to each other and be fine. This rarely happens with the rainbowfish.

If this is a problem, I have an option of peacock gudgeons for $8.50 and jaguar catfish(I don't know much about these) for $16. First I need to know if this is a problem.

It is quite normal and will only be a problem if damage is done or if someone doesn't get to eat. Zebra loach is this fish? http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-striata
I don't see that working well with the gudgeon. They'd be competing for food at the bottom of the tank and the gudgeon would lose. I wasn't familiar with jaguar catfish but reading the writeup I think this would be a bad idea given their size. That species will easily grow to 8 inches.

Ok thank you. It will probably be better once I get my 2nd pearl gourami and add boesemani rainbowfish because I havent fully stocked it yet. The loaches probably will keep to their own school instead of messing with other schools when I'm done.